Mbandleni Primary school pupils face daily danger of snakes and crumbling classrooms

Pupils and teachers fear for their lives

- By Boitumelo Kgobotlo

Pupils and teachers scurried for cover in fear and frustration when a venomous snake reared its head in one of the dilapidated mobile classrooms at Mbandleni Primary School in KwaNongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.

Although the school has been operational since 2011, teaching and learning are still conducted in mobile classrooms. The units were meant to be used temporarily as some brick and cement buildings are in a poor condition and need urgent repairs.

The recent encounter with the snake has raised even more concern about the safety of both pupils and staff.

Cebi Myeni, a member of the school-governing body, told Sunday World that the condition of the classrooms is seriously affecting teaching at the school.

“We are surrounded by bush, and last week, a snake was found inside one of the classrooms. It was a scary situation, but the staff managed to remove the snake and no learners were harmed.

“Still, this is becoming a serious concern. We hope the department will act quickly to address this issue,” said Myeni.

She said the snake incident has frightened both pupils and parents, who now worry about what other dangers may be lurking in these mobile classrooms.

One concerned parent, who asked not to be named for her child’s safety, expressed frustration with the government’s failure to provide proper school facilities.